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Mullumbimby Community Action Newsletters

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LTG movies 15 Nov Drill Hall 630pm

Newsletter 136
3 Nov 2013

Greetings!

Thanks to everyone who rocked up for our GFF sign launch last week  it made p13 of Byron Shire News with big pic of supporters, sign and Chincogan in the background. ABC did an interview on Monday saying Don Page could do more to protect the shire from CSG; he is protector against menacing dogs (see his website) and would he please protect us against menacing miners. Echonetdaily also did something, but I can"t find it.

These are inspiring films by North Coast filmmakers who have had an extraordinary challenge of creating docos with minimal resources. "We had to beg and borrow, but not steal" said Brendan "and then get each scene passed by the LTG committee. It"s been a big process." These guys are getting the story out that most of mainstream media isn"t covering. These are the courageous filmmakers and courageous stories of everyday Australians who decided to take a stand to protect the country they love.
The two 35 min docos tell the powerful stories of Australians whose lives have been changed forever by coal and gas mining.

"In Fractured Country, the scale of the threat to Australia from invasive gas mining is clearly exposed - more than 54% of the country is at risk from exploration licences and applications. "Nothing is sacred and nowhere is safe from this industry - with fertile farmlands of the Darling Downs, natural icons like the Kimberley, and tourist meccas like the Scenic Rim all in the crosshairs of the gas companies.

"Both films provide shocking examples of the impacts that both coal and gas mining have on water resources, explaining the grave risk they pose to drinking water catchments, farm water supplies and the Great Artesian Basin.

"Despite the devastating impacts depicted, both films end on a high note - telling the stories of communities who have chosen to stand up to the mining giants and won".

KIDZART SLIDESHOW

There will also be a slide presentation of amazing KIDZART pictures from children (and adult inner-childs) of the shire who care passionately about the environment.

Please support your local GFF groups and Lock the Gate and become updated on what"s happening out there in gas and coal lands. Tickets at the door $14 or bookings at Mullum Bookshop (thanks Denise). Cakes and cuppas available.

CAKES WANTED!!
Are you are willing to bake a cake or savoury finger food to help fund the GFF signs in every community around the shire as well as LOCK THE GATE? They need support to keep up their brilliant work. Call Deb 66843723 (after Monday 11th November) or contact us" at http://www.mullumaction.org .

KIDZART ARTSPACE AT BYRON MARKET 17 NOVEMBER
Would you or your child like to create an artwork for KIDZART? There will be a creative artspace at the Byron Market on 17 November. Alternatively create one at home and call Deb 66843723. This is also GetUp! Climate Action Day, and artworks in support of that will be welcomed.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL VOTED 6-3 for SHIREWIDE CSG EXCLUSION ZONE

Cr Basil Cameron tabled a motion at BSC on 31.11.13 (which was passed: p11 of BSC minutes) that Gasfield and Coal Seam Gas (CSG) mining operations be excluded from Byron Shire for the following reasons:

a) Clean water security
b) Protect expanding food production
c) Support sustainable tourism
d) Density of settlement and residential character
e) High rainfall and topography
f) High levels of community support for a Shire wide CSG mining operations exclusion Zone.

Olga (who is continuing as GFF Byron Shire Coordinator for now) writes "So it"s a huge thank you for all the work you all did during the LTG community survey across the shire. It was that work that encouraged council to propose this motion and take this stand!
Let"s now encourage everyone we know to understand the threats to our water and food security that coal and gas mining bring. It is city people who now need to swell our numbers so we can make an overwhelming Australia wide stand! It can be done! Thank you for caring about this wonderful planet!